The Importance of Having a Plan Ready in Case of an Accident

No one wants to think about what will happen when a car accident takes place. For the most part, we all try as hard as we can to avoid them. But a majority of the time, we are not the problem. Other people and their distractions are the problem and it could sometimes cause legal, medical, and physical headaches for us because of their carelessness. That is why it is extremely important to have a plan in place in the event that you get into a car accident. It’s a harrowing experience and you need to be prepared because sometimes our adrenaline will make us unfocused and jittery.

The first thing you need to do when preparing for an unexpected car accident is to get together an emergency kit. This could include food and water, a toolkit for your vehicle, jumper cables, perishables, blankets, flashlights, matches or a lighter, and many other things that you might need in case you are stranded somewhere. A first aid kit is also helpful to have in this situation if you have minor injuries that can be taken care of on the spot while emergency authorities arrive. You can never be too prepared for such events, so make sure you at least have all of the essentials.

If you get into a collision in the middle of a busy intersection, you should have a plan with how to proceed. You should be able to create a safety paramount because intersections are horrible places to be after a collision has occurred. You should always keep your seatbelt fastened and turn on your hazard lights if your vehicle is still operable. If you or someone in your car is able, call 9-1-1 immediately and stay in your car until help comes. If you can still move your car and are still able to drive it, you should pull onto the shoulder of the road and wait for emergency vehicles to arrive so that they can take care of the situation. This will ensure that you and your passengers are safe and that traffic doesn’t get fully backed up and cause more problems.

Another thing to consider is accurate information about the event. Most people nowadays have phones equipped with cameras, so make sure you take lots of photos of the damage for your insurance and the other person’s insurance. You will need some evidence in the event that the other person is not so friendly and they try and take you to court. Even if the collision is not your fault, you will need proof of this, as legal battles and medical bills will rely heavily on your ability to prove your innocence. You’ll also want to get the other person’s name and information, as well as reliable witnesses to attest to your innocence.

You should also make sure that you get the correct documentation and insurance information. Nothing is worse than when you call your insurance company and you have none of the information they need about the other driver. This can give you more financial troubles than you are willing to deal with. So if you are able, make sure you get the driver’s insurance information, name, number, and you will definitely want to write down their license plate number. This can all help you in the long run, so don’t take it for granted.

If the accident isn’t bad and you can get away with only talking to the driver, sometimes this can either be good or bad. You still should report the accident to the police, because hit and runs occur all the time. You may think the other driver is going to pull over and exchange information, but sometimes people are horrible and they don’t do things that they should. So reporting the accident can go a long way and you might be able to take care of the problem once the police and other emergency authorities arrive on the scene.

No one plans on getting in a car accident, but you are better to be prepared when you do. There is no such thing as being too ready for some form of disaster or another. If you have been in a car accident and your car needs major repairs, come to Excel Collision and Glass Centers. We have the means and knowledge available to repair your car and make it look brand new. Buying a new car can be costly and you might not be prepared to make that big step just yet. With our affordable auto body repair services in Gilbert you will be in the best of hands with Excel Collision and Glass Centers. For more information about our excellent services, give us a call at (480)-649-9313.